The Sutton War Memorial is another part of the town's local history that a lot of people possibly…read moredon't know exists. It's stood outside Sutton Town Hall since the early 1920s and is the focal point of Rememberance Sunday services. It's basically a large stone column engraved with the names of local men who died in the First World War, much the same as those in other parts of the region. A pacifistic soul such as myself looks at it more as a piece of local history and testament to the horrors of war than anything to puff my chest out about or wave a flag at, but however you look at it, it's still a vital part of who we are and where we come from. I know this bloke who takes an interest in his local history. He did a whole load of research on this particular war memorial and found it to be full of mistakes with names repeated and mis-spelt and allsorts. I can't verify that because I'm too busy writing an aesthetic review of the thing and only have 150-odd words in which to do so.

To paraphrase John Lydon, 'side of Sutton that the tourists never see'. Not that many tourists…read moremake it to Sutton but, unless they're interested in old railway stations, those few who do would be highly unlikely to check this place out. Sutton Town station shut way back in 1924 and there's very few pictures of it in use. Thankfully, both buildings still remain. The one building can be seen quite easily simply by walking up Midland Drive and keeping an eye out for the very station looking building which is now an office block. For the more adventurous the building on the other side of the tracks is still standing (just), strangely never having been demolished (although it has been bricked up in the ten years since I first encountered it). A disclaimer: There are no signs that the building is on private land and I personally nor anyone I know has ever been challenged walking to it BUT it does lie at the end of a very overgrown path so go prepared and take care. The path to it begins between the railway bridge and Sutton College at the top of the High Street. You keep walking down, over a bridge which crosses the Cross City Line and then keep going straight and you will be confronted with a 1920s station building. It's very eerie and last time I went down there I got spooked out quite quickly and made good my escape. I've got a feeling some unsavoury activities go on there late at night too so go in the morning! If you like your historical buildings not to have been revamped and a long way off the beaten track, it's worth the nettle stings.

Sutton's most famous closed station is Sutton Park which sat, as its name suggests just inside the…read morepark. The station shut in 1965 when passenger services through the park were withdrawn (the line, which ran from Birmingham to Walsall, is still used for freight). The bits of it which remain still sit just inside the park although the station buildings were demolished roughly 10-15 years ago. One platform is still accessible down the path from the railway bridge on Anchorage Road but is really not worth it as there's nothing left down there to see - unless you want to indulge in a little trainspotting. There is also a question of who owns the land, something I'm not sure about and so will advise against walking down there. There is always talk of the line being reopened to passenger traffic but this has never come to anything. Personally I'd love to get the train through the park as I think it'd be one of the most picturesque journeys in Brum. Going by the sorry state of Sutton Park station, I don't think it's something I'll be doing very soon.

Popular culture tells us that in 1957 most kids were just about getting into rock and roll…read more However, this monument in Sutton Park paints a slightly different picture of '50s youth. This large and somewhat austere stone, situated in an equally austerely open part of the Park, commemorates an event in August 1957 when the 50th year of the Scout movement was celebrated by 32,000 camping boys from over 87 countries. Clearly these kids were more into toggles than blue suede shoes. However, rebels without a cause or not, the Stone and its plaque doesn't tell the full story. The beautiful nature and habitats on offer here in North Birmingham inevitably suffered damage from so many visitors. Conversely, this in fact ensured the Park's long term future, prompting the resolve of local conservationists and pressure groups to enable the park to be enjoyed by locals for years to come.

With so many individual places of interest within Sutton Park, it can be hard for the Sutton…read moreresident, let alone visitor, to keep track of all the names and what they represent. The Jamboree Stone is one such marker of which you hear, the significance of which becomes lost through over-use, or swallowed up by talk of different pools, entrances, or species. The Jamboree Stone commemorates the 1957 World Jamboree - a gathering of scouts from groups across the world. Here were international boys in hundreds of tents under the night sky. It's a charming image. But while it may have a slight historical appeal, or even prove a point of fascination to any scout within your family - that sense that they are part of a larger and planet-wide collective - the monument, unto itself, is not particularly impressive. In sheer practical terms, it's best used as an orientating reference point. You find it by entering Sutton Park at Boldmere Gate, via Monmouth Drive. From there to reach the stone, it's a walk, in a straight line, of around two miles. Psst, this is really the best means by which you stand a good chance of finding an ice cream van. The stone is a common parking point for the dispenser of Screwballs and 99s. It also marks a crossroads from where you can make your way to Wyndley or Town Gates. The area is pretty uncluttered here, so you also get a good impression of the size of the park, not to mention a few benches to help you take a breather.

This is a very British take on a very North American tradition. But, the choice to install a totem…read morepole in the Park is clearly befitting to an area full of so much ancient history. The carving by Graham Jones was commissioned to celebrate the Park gaining nature reserve status in 1997. At 3.5 metres tall and carved from solid oak, this is a structure aptly marking the resolve to preserve the park as it is. The detail on the pole is more delicate in its message however. With an acorn at the base, the wildlife grows upwards culminating in a majestic and ancient deer at the crown. All life, flora or fauna, ancient or modern, come from the same place. The preservation of the park and its enjoyment by the people is a responsibility we all share, and depends wholeheartedly on us understanding the connectedness of all things. When I visit the park I'm always amazed at how beautiful this is - although I have never been tempted enough to dance around it!

I have a soft spot for Anthony Gormley's work, so much so I was even one of the lucky ones that…read morestood on the 4th Plinth in London. The statue represents the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country practised during the Industrial Revolution. The controversy of public opinion when it was installed makes me further believe that it really does represent the Brummie and Yam-Yams naysaying nature. I can't really recall why it was so hated back in 1993 when it was given as gift from the Trustee Savings Bank, but when they moved down south there was an outcry that the Iron: Man should be moved with them. I love that it started out as an untitled work until the Iron Man nickname stuck, only for the artist to insist on making his own stamp by insisting on a stupid colon in the middle. Brilliant! Maybe my soft spot for Gormely is because he utilises many local resources to make his large scale iron works with the Iron:Man being cast at Bradley and Fosters Castings (now Firth Rixson Castings) in Willenhall. Whether you love or hate it this 6m tall, leaning man whose feet are sunk in the ground is worth a look.

The most overlooked art in victoria square. I love this art by one of my favourite artist/sculptor.read more

Middleton is a village in Warwickshire very popular for its medieval constructions and this…read morepicturesque place hides some very important listed buildings. One of them is the Middleton Hall, that was recognised as a type of domestic architecture from 1285 to 1824. Not just important as a gem of Birmingham itself, Middleton Hall was also a place that encouraged the development of the natural sciences. Nowadays, the Hall is kept by a charitable trust and the place can be visited. It's an excellent day out hotspot to be seen for those interested in history, architecture, garden or anyone keen on having a really nice experience in a remote part of Midlands. There is a bar in the facility with drinks and food and the Middleton hall is also available for hire if you plan an event, party or conference at the locale.

'What's so landmark and historic about a small, anonymous residential road on the edge of Oldbury?'…read more I hear you ask. Well in the case Apollo Road, what's so special about it is that it's where Kevin Rowland lived in the late 1970s, around the time he formed Dexys Midnight Runners. When I moved to this part of the world, I knew that he had once lived round here and was chuffed to find that the leader of one of my favourite bands had lived just a few minutes stroll from own doorstep. However, anyone expecting blue plaques, guided tours or people dancing round in dungarees will be sorely disappointed. Despite it's significance in local music history, Apollo Road does still remain a small, anonymous residential road on the edge of Oldbury. Only really worth a look if you're a big Dexys fan and want to walk down the road trying to work out which house he lived in, whilst humming 'Geno'. That's what I did anyway, and it made me feel good.

Currently nestled under scaffolding, The Clock Tower is a former Adult Education College whose…read morerather grand exterior dominates the High Street. I used to do yoga here (before heading off to The White Horse afterwards for a pint - oops!) and it ran all sorts of classes - wine appreciation, life drawing, languages, keep fit etc until just over 2 years ago when it became obvious from the chunks of roof coming away that it needed some fairly major refurbishment. Thankfully the building itself has been saved and it's hoped that the space will be transformed into a rather exciting mixed development consisting of a up to three restaurants, a cookery school, a public square and 10 luxury apartments. The Clock Tower itself was constructed in 1881 as a school and designed by Martin & Chamberlain in gothic red brick and terracotta. According to local records the actual clock face was made just a few doors away. The building was closed as a school after 1961 - here's hoping its next incarnation will be a successful one.